Africa faces a staggering burden of cervical cancer, with 126,000 new cases and 80,600 deaths recorded annually, according to the 2022 Globocan report. The continent holds the second-highest global rates of this disease, with over 85% of cases and deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

In response to this crisis, AHETI and JESUITS JENA, in collaboration with key stakeholders including KILELE Health Association and African Cervical Health Alliance (ACHA), convened a groundbreaking event from July 11th to 13th in Nairobi. Religious leaders, healthcare professionals, CSOs, community advocates, and policymakers united to combine their expertise and create strategies to combat cervical cancer and enhance HPV vaccination rates across Africa.

The event highlighted the urgent need for uniting faith and science to eliminate this disease.

In 2020, WHO launched a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by reducing new cases to fewer than 4 per 100,000 women annually. The targets to be achieved by 2030 are: vaccinating 90% of girls with the HPV vaccine by age 15, screening 70% of women with a high-quality test by ages 35 and 45, and ensuring 90% of women with cervical disease receive treatment

Imam Alidou Ilboudo emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships with governments and community leaders to boost vaccine uptake. He outlined initiatives aimed at creating tailored communication materials and enhancing advocacy strategies to mobilize support for HPV vaccinations.

 “Religious leaders can significantly influence their communities to make informed decisions about vaccination. Engaging and educating these leaders can help address their concerns and promote positive messaging to their followers. They can publicly endorse HPV vaccination, emphasizing its alignment with health and well-being principles”

According to National Institute of Health, tailored church-based HPV vaccination promotion strategies could be implemented to increase HPV vaccination coverage and alleviate these racial health disparities as the church is a trusted space that cultivates a safe and supportive environment for congregation members

The convening also spotlighted innovations in healthcare delivery, including the integration of HPV vaccinations into national immunization policies and cancer control strategies. Dr. Elias Melly, CEO of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, stressed the role of technology and community engagement in ensuring the efficacy and accessibility of vaccination programs.

Panel discussions delved into the complexities of vaccine supply chains and the implementation of rigorous quality assurance measures. Participants advocated for strengthened regulatory frameworks and enhanced surveillance systems to combat counterfeit vaccines and ensure the safety of immunization efforts.

Father Charles Chilufya, presented key outcomes from the convening, including:

1. Enhancing Collaborative Networks among faith-based organizations and health authorities to enhance the reach and effectiveness of cervical cancer prevention efforts.
2. Capacity Building Faith Leaders to equip them with relevant knowledge and resources to advocate effectively for behavioral change communication, HPV vaccination, HPV screening, treatment, and palliative care.
3. Leveraging faith networks to boost HPV vaccination rates and expand screening initiatives to enhance public awareness and reach underserved areas
4. Strengthening Service Delivery and Guidelines by enhancing access to treatment protocols cervical cancer, upgrading local health facilities, offering continuous training to healthcare professionals.
5. Policy Engagement and Advocacy: Proposing strategic discussions with policymakers to advocate for comprehensive cervical cancer care policies that support the implementation of HPV vaccination, HPV screening, treatment, palliative care, and survivorship.
6. Integrated Sustainable Healthcare Models: Recommending sustainable healthcare models that incorporate behavioral change communication, HPV vaccination, HPV screening, treatment, palliative care, and survivor ship into primary healthcare systems.
7. Engaging communities and increasing public awareness about the importance of behavioral change communication, HPV vaccination, HPV screening, treatment, palliative care, and survivor ship. Developing culturally sensitive advocacy strategies tailored to the unique needs and perspectives of various African communities.

Looking ahead, stakeholders emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure the success of these interventions and adjust strategies as needed. The convening concluded with a unified commitment to maintaining momentum through sustained dialogue and collaborative efforts, aiming to meet the ambitious healthcare targets and improve cervical cancer outcomes across Africa.